Westport's Eye on the Civil War

1860 Prelude to Arms: The Election.

There were five “parties” listed in on the Connecticut presidential ballot in the election of 1860: Republican Party, Northern Democratic Party, Southern Democratic Party, Constitutional Union Party, and the Fusion ticket.

The Fusion ticket represented a merger of interests between Know Nothings and Whigs, nativists and immigrants, old Free Soilers and old Democrats.

The Constitutional Union Party was represented by John Bell. Comprising this party were hard-line former Southern Whigs and Know Nothings who felt they could not vote for either the Democrat or the Republican Party. The party platform advocated compromise to save the Union, with the slogan “the Union as it is, and the Constitution as it is.”

The Democratic Party was terribly split over many issues including slavery. So, the party split into two factions each nominating a candidate and thus probably ensuring that neither would receive enough votes to ensure election.

The Southern Democratic Party nominated Breckinridge of Kentucky. He was an avowed pro-slavery candidate.

The Northern Democratic Party eventually nominated Stephen Douglas from Illinois as its candidate. Douglas was considered a moderate on the issue of slavery. He supported the doctrine of allowing settlers in each territory to decide for themselves whether slavery would be allowed or not. This was called the doctrine of popular sovereignty.

The Republican ticket was lead by Abraham Lincoln from Illinois and his vice presidential running mate was Hannibal Hamlin from Maine. The Republican plank that drew the U.S. nearer and nearer to civil war was the very issue that Lincoln used as his major election principle:

REPUBLICAN PLANK REGARDING SLAVERY

“The normal condition of all the territory of the United States is that of freedom; that as our republican fathers, when they had abolished slavery in all our national territory, ordained that no “person should be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law,” it becomes our duty, by legislation, whenever such legislation is necessary, to maintain this provision of the constitution against all attempts to violate it; and we deny the authority of congress, of a territorial legislature, or of any individuals, to give legal existence to slavery in any territory of the United States.”

As the 1860 presidential Election Day drew near many states in the South were already promoting, organizing, voting and preparing for secession and the eventuality of armed conflict. The precipitating event for each state was Lincoln’s impending success at the poles.

The Connecticut Hartford Courant reported the events in the southern states via the new national telegraph system. Early and even before the election was underway many southern states, especially South Carolina, were promoting and predicting secession from the Union. The election results themselves would decide.

By Telegraph.South Carolina Secessionists.

Columbia, S. C., Nov. 7 (1860)—The legislature has adopted joint resolutions sending a commissioner to Georgia. On Thursday the question is to be taken on calling a convention of the people for reorganization of the militia and defense of the State. Mr. Buist, urging the resolutions in the House, said that action should be prompt, immediate, unqualified and decisive, in case of Lincoln’s election.”

“Congressman Boyce, in his speech last night, urged for secession in case of Lincoln’s election.”

Percent Vote in Presidential Election for Fairfield County, CT and Westport, CT.

Lincoln

Douglas

Breckenridge

Bell

Fusion

Fairfield County

54%

10%

17%

2%

14%

Westport

42%

11%

0%

0%

51%

“In the wake of Abraham Lincoln’s triumph at the polls in the presidential election of 1860 seven states of the lower South-South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas—seceded from the Union.” (Apostles of Disunion, Charles B. Drew, p 5.)

1861: Confrontation and War

“A convention meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, in early February 1861, drafted a constitution for the Confederate States of America and organized a provisional government that rushed military forces into the field.” (Apostles of Disunion, Charles B. Drew, p 5.)

Correspondence of General Beauregard and Confederate the Secretary of War!

Charleston, April 12—The ball has opened. War is inaugurated. The batteries of Sullivan’s Ilsand,Morris Island,and other points,opened on Sumter at 4 o’clock this morning. Fort Sumter has returned the fire, and a brisk canonading has been kept up. No information has been received from the sea-board yet. Military are under arms. The whole population is in the street. Every available space facing the harbor is filled with anxious spectators.